‘State to have centre of excellence’
Uttar Pradesh will soon have a centre of excellence at Shahajanpur, said minister of science and technology Abhishek Mishra while addressing the 72nd annual convention of the Sugar Technologists’ Association of India (STAI) on Thursday.
“We have initiated a process to set up a centre of excellence at Shahajanpur at the Cane Research Center. We have appointed a scientific advisor as a director for the same and sincerely hope that he will take it forward,” said the minister.
Speaking on the occasion STAI secretary general Anil Shukla said, “The association will carry forward the initiatives suggested by the experts at the convention.”
Meanwhile, president of STAI Dr GSC Rao emphasised on sugar industry’s relevance in the state and how it was a major employment generator besides being a major contributor to the state’s economy.
“We need to improve farm production, increase farmer’s income through inter-cropping and mechanisation of sugarcane agriculture particularly harvesting. We have to make industry efficient by increasing co-generation of power,” said Dr Rao.
Similarly, agriculture production commissioner Alok Ranjan spoke about challenges and opportunities in this field. “Uttar Pradesh has land area in abundance but has less yield compared to all-India figures. It stands at 61 tonnes per hectare of sugarcane produce, as compared to country figure of 70 tonnes per hectare while in Tamil Nadu its 100 tonnes per hectare,” he said.
Minister for agriculture Kunwar Anand Singh urged companies to be sensitive towards farmers. “Farmers should get proper remuneration. It is important that both industries and farmers get their respective due. We need to strengthen the farmer unions in their interest,” he said.
The minister advised the industries to go in for solar energy usage as far as possible. “Help your farmers and in return they will help your industry in the best possible manner,” he concluded.